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Mexico, the other without any ceremony ordered him to be immedi- 

 ately hanged, which was accordingly done, contrary to all juftice. 

 He alfo put many other Spaniards to death, apparently for no reafon 

 except to make himfelf feared, and fet the authority of the governor of 

 Mexico at defiance. In order therefore to curb the infolence of Guz- 

 man, it was the wifh of many that Cortes fhould take a (hare in the 

 government, but he was utterly adverfe to it, knowing the difficulties, 

 and the dangerous power and more dangerous malignity of his enemies, 

 for as ufual, upon the death of Aguilar the flory was again induftri- 

 oufly circulated, that it was owing to poifon given him by Cortes. 



It was determined on the peremptory refufal of the latter, that 

 Sandoval who was alguazil major, fhould ad: conjointly with the trea- 

 furer, and he was willingly accepted as an affociate by him. His firft 

 bufinefs on entering into oflice was, to endeavour to bring to juflice one 

 Ruano, who had fled from Mexico for fome crime. He fince became 

 a rich man, for, efcaping for the prefent, he eluded juflice altogether, 

 though Sandoval did his utmofl to apprehend him. 



Certain perfons, tl|g|i|^veterate and adlive enemies of Cortes, now 

 perfuaded the treafurer to write to Caftille, to reprefent at court, that he 

 had been compelled by the influence of Cortes, toafTociate Sandoval with 

 him in the government, contrary to his inclination, and to his Majef- 

 ty's fervice. They by the fame opportunity tranfmitted a volume of 

 malignant falfehoods, which they had raked up againfl the general, 

 fuch as that he had poifoned Luis Ponce de Leon, and Marcos de Agui- 

 lar the governors, as alfo the Adelantado Garay, and that he had en- 

 deavoured to adminifler arfenic in cheefecakes to a number of people at 

 a feaft. Alfo that he was plotting the fecret murders of the veedor and 

 fador in jail. All which lies were fupported by the induflry of the 

 contador Albornoz, who was then in Caftille. He was alfo charged 

 ftrongly as to the death of his firft wife, and thefe things being thus 

 urged, Cortes was in part judged unheard, an order being fent to rcleafe 



the 



